Our Team

Adam Broms, Camp Director

Adam is entering his eighth year at Capital Camps. During his tenure, Adam’s leadership has resulted in increased staff retention, a variety of program improvements, and more efficient day-to-day operations of camp. Together with the camp team, Adam focuses on enhancing the camper and staff experience, both at camp and year-round, as well as engaging all members of the camp community in meaningful growth, identity-building, and relationship development

Prior to his time at Capital Camps, Adam worked at Hillel International, recruiting and training young professionals to work at Hillel locations across the country. his experience in Jewish camping includes 10 summers as a camper and staff member at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, and several years as a camper at Herzl Camp. Adam and his wife, Carrie, live in Washington D.C..

Ari Paskoff, Assistant Camp Director

Prior to becoming Capital Camps’ Assistant Director in 2015, Ari served as the Director of the JCC of Manhattan’s Day Camp at Pearl River and the Assistant Camp Director/Youth Director at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA. While at Temple Rodef Shalom, Ari earned a Certificate in Jewish Education for Adolescents and Emerging Adults from HUC-JIR, following earning his Bachelor’s Degree at American University. Ari learned the magic of Jewish camping at URJ Camp Harlam, spending 12 summers there as a camper and staff member. Originally from Lancaster, PA, Ari now lives in Washington, DC.

Laurie Mackey, Program Director

Laurie joined the year-round team in 2015, following 6 years as a member of the summer staff. She has served in many roles at camp, including Program Coordinator, Benjamin Village Leader, and Office Assistant. Previously, Laurie worked in Jewish education as a B’nai Mitzvah tutor and music teacher in numerous Jewish preschools. Laurie’s work focuses on scheduling, programming and calendars that structure the day-to-day camper experience. Laurie lives in Bethesda, MD with her husband, Steve, her two kids, Livy and Artie, and her dog, Gus.

Deb Silver, Communications Associate

Deb joined the Capital Camps team in January 2017 after graduating with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Deb focuses her time working with new and returning parents and families throughout the year, and manages the office during the summer. She is the primary point of contact for all camp information. Deb also creates and manages marketing material, communications, and social media content. She is a former camper and sister of two current counselors.

Ruth Burka, Director, Finance and Administration

Ruth has been a member of our year-round team for 21 years. Ruth’s work focuses on all things relating to Finance and Administration, including Human Resources, and management of our Financial Aid Program. Ruth lives in Olney, MD with her husband, Ben. She is the proud parent of three former campers and counselors – her son Lawrence and his wife, Allee, who met at camp in 10th grade, and her daughter Randi.

Penny Hartzman, Office Administrator

Penny has been a part of our year-round team for 17 years. Prior to becoming the Agency Office Administrator, she was the Camp Registrar. Penny now handles the Agency and Camp Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. She lives in Gaithersburg, MD with her dog, Lucy, and is the proud mother of two former campers, David and Deanna.

Natalie Walden, Development Associate

Natalie joined Capital Camps in June 2017 following her graduation from Penn State with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. Hailing from West Chester, PA, Natalie spent 10 summers as a camper and staff member at URJ Camp Harlam. Natalie is excited to re-enter the world of Jewish camping, focusing on development and donor communications at Capital Camps. Natalie lives in Silver Spring, MD.

Ron Siegel, Chief Operating Officer

Ron Siegel has worked in the Jewish Non-Profit field for more than 20 years and has been with Capital Camps and Retreat Center since 2015 serving as the COO. In this capacity, Ron oversees the retreat business as well as supervising operations and vendor partnerships for both camp and the retreat center. Prior to working at CCRC, Ron was the Vice President of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. His portfolio at the Baltimore JCC included Camping Services, Fitness, Aquatics, Recreation and Security.

Ron began his career at the Jewish Community Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked at the JCC in St. Louis in several capacities for more than 10 years prior to becoming the Continental Assistant Director of the JCC Maccabi Games in 2003. Ron moved with his family to the Baltimore area in 2006. He and his wife Sharon have two daughters, Rebecca and Jennifer.

Jonah Geller, Chief Executive Officer

Jonah joined Capital Camps & Retreat Center in 2012 and has worked professionally in Jewish camping/retreats for 20 years. Prior to his current position, Jonah served as Executive Director of Michigan-based Tamarack Camps and Director of Camp Tel Yehudah in New York.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Jonah earned degrees in Journalism, Jewish Studies and Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a graduate of Jewish Community Center Association’s Executive Director Training Program, a Wexner Foundation Field Fellow, and a current student in Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. Jonah is married to Jennifer Noparstak and is the proud father of three children – Ari, Ezra and Lea.

Our staff team is comprised of approximately 175 individuals with incredibly diverse backgrounds. Our Leadership Team members bring them a wealth of experience as teachers, social workers, childcare professionals, and managers. Some of our bunk-based staff are former campers or former counselors while others are looking for a new experience as a camp counselor. Staff members hail from the United States, Israel, Great Britain, and other countries as well. Each staff member has skills necessary to complete his/her job at camp. Our sports specialists are trained coaches, our lifeguards are certified through the American Red Cross, and our art specialists have extensive work in the arts. The diversity of experiences on our staff provide us a beautiful blend of individuals who help us preserve our past, while enriching our future.